[Ads-l] place (and more)

[Amy West]

On 10/19/26 00:00, ADS-L automatic digest system wrote:

> Date:    Sun, 18 Oct 2026 10:05:29 -0400
> From:    Jonathan Lighter<wuxxmupp2000 at GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: place (and more)
>
> 'A source of or resource for imaginary events or circumstances.'
>
> I've read this usage countless times in the past, I don't know, ten years.
> Or more. The definition could probably be tweaked:
I think your def is a misinterpretation. This use of "place" is still 
notionally related to the more literal senses of "place." In fancier, 
academic lit speak, we'd be using "site". "Locus" also. So, I think your 
shift to "source" or "resource" shifts the semantic field too much.
>
> https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/medieval-romance-overflowed-sexually-active-110001663.html
>   ;
>
> These stories [viz., medieval romances] were a place for women to explore
> their desires, free from the idea that they should be chaste.
>
>  From the same article:
>
> "And while there are fairy lovers who are kind, gentle and courteous,
> medieval audiences also thrilled to the idea of a brooding fairy
> shadow-daddy."
>
> Why didn't they tell me in Medieval Lit?

Dude, if you had read Marie de France, you'd know. Sorry your prof 
sheltered you . . .

---Amy West

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org